Welcome to Hickstead, home to both Seven Oak Stables, and Blue Acre - two rival stables. Both offer opportunities for their clients to reach the highest level of excellence. Each stable differs from the other, so choose wisely and never forget, loyalty is everything... Meanwhile as the stables battle it out, there's trouble brewing at the university. Be careful, if you don't pick a side you may get caught in the cross-fire...
This is an chilled out rpg with a super friendly and relaxed atmosphere! Remember to sign up with your characters full name in all caps and don't forget to do your claims! Thank you and Welcome, we've been established since 10th March 2009 but unfortunately have had to close guest view of our boards due to multiple sites ripping off our hard work, such a shame! Come chat to us in Discord before joining if you like!.
Damon was nervous - as hell. He'd been trying to plan this night for weeks now, having brought the ring when he'd finally found the right one. It had been luck he'd seen it, he'd been thinking about this for months, and then he'd walked past and seen it in the window and he'd known it was perfect for her. It was a little out of his price range but he made it work. After that it was time to plan. They had had a very much up and down life, things had been great at the start, when it had been the two of them, and then everything had turned sour when his brother had gotten involved. Moving away had helped a lot but things had been a little rocky since returning to his old hunting ground, and he wanted to get them back on track properly and more solid than ever. It had taken a while but he finally had an idea on how to propose, and tonight was the night.
He had planned everything down to the second, he couldn't help but be a worrier and every detail was micromanaged. He had decided to take them right back to the beginning and take Ash on their first date all over again - on the anniversary of it. They had met several years ago and it felt right to be taking things back to the start, just as they're about to give themselves a fresh start. The table was booked for 7pm, and then from there they would have a three course meal with good wine, and then he would take her on a walk down to the beach where he had set out a blanket with a cold bottle of champagne and strawberries, and there he would propose - underneath the stars. It sounded ideal but whether it would work, and whether she would say yes was another matter. The babysitter knocked on the door and he opened it quickly, smiling and inviting her inside. He kissed his son's head and gently smoothed his hair, saying goodnight to him. He was dressed up, in trousers, a white shirt and jacket - now he was just waiting on Ashley.
Ashley sat on her bed while she took the clips out of her hair to release the curls she'd had pinned to her head.She ran her fingers through them until she was satisfied with how they looked. Tight curls that stuck to her head did not look good. She'd stopped by the hair dressers after work to get her hair done and even had a friend come by to do her make-up professionally. It was the anniversary of their first date and she wanted to make an effort. Although she wasn't wearing a dress. It had been a cool day and she couldn't bring herself to get her legs out. She stood up and looked in the full length mirror in the corner. She liked her outfit choice - a navy dressy top, navy pants and black heels. Not over the top but dressy enough.
She grabbed her chain bag from the dresser and headed out of the bedroom. She was excited for tonight, it had been a while since they'd been on a date and she was looking forward to spending some quality time with him. She loved Josh more than anything but he was a handful. It was hard to get some alone time when he was around, especially in a two bedroom flat. She greeted the babysitter as she walked into the hallway and bent down to give her son a kiss goodbye. "Be good baby." She said as she stood up. She had a quick word with the sitter about his bed time before moving over to Damon. "Well don't you look handsome" She said with a smile, pausing as she passed to give him a light kiss on the lips. "Lets go get wined and dined." She said as she walked outside to the car, where she'd hidden a little surprise for Damon.
He heard the steps on the landing and glanced up from his position by the door, his lips turning up into a wide grin. "Well don't you look handsome" He bent his head and returned the kiss, pressing his lips to hers. "You still look much better than me," Damon laughed. "Lets go get wined and dined." He nodded, agreeing whole heartedly. "Absolutely," He was ready for a drink, it might help calm his nerves. He was having to try his hardest not to show his shaking hands, taking a moment to grab his coat and car keys to hide his anxiety. Ashley knew him well, and she knew when he was hiding something or worrying about something - he had a very distinct expression when he was worrying over something - he didn't want to give the game away, he was shit at lying.
He shut the front door behind him, taking one last quiet moment to check his had everything - keys, wallet, ring... check, check, check, before he followed Ash down the front path. "Okay, all set?" he checked as he unlocked the car, glancing at the time - he was right on schedule, thank God. Everything had to be perfect tonight, he didn't want to let Ash down.
ashley smiled and shook her head slightly. "why thank you mr thornton." damon was always the humble one, turning compliments back on the person who was giving them was something she was used to and she wasn't complaining. it was one of the things she loved about him and who didn't like to be complimented anyway. she couldn't help but feel a buzz as they stepped out of the house, it had been ages since they'd had a proper date night. they were both either working, studying or in ashley's case doing a night shift and on top of all that they had to juggle looking after a four year old. she wouldn't change her life but at the same time, it would be nice if the two of them could get more alone time.
"yeah. .if we don't leave know i'll find an excuse to go and check on josh. ." she said with a small grin. the babysitter was one they used regularly and she was lovely, josh always had fun with her and she knew he was safe but she still hated leaving him. she got into the car and fastened her seatbelt before reaching into the back and pulling out damon's present. "I know we said we were just going for a meal and not doing presents but i saw this and i had to get it for you." she smiled and waited for his reaction. she hoped he liked it. she'd been thinking about what she could get him when she saw the briefcase/satchel in one of the shops in the city and it was perfect. .she hoped.
"why thank you mr thornton." He laughed lightly at that and tipped an imaginary hat at her, bowing his head playfully. This is what he loved about her, she always brought out his fun and playful side. He inconspicuously checked his pockets again, ensuring he had everything as he slid into the drivers side of the car. He was paranoid now that he'd lose the ring or his wallet or something would happen to ruin it all. It would be just his luck to go down on one knee and not find the ring in his pockets. He couldn't afford to lose it, he wanted everything to be perfect tonight - just like Ash was to him. "Welcome, m'lady," he teased.
"yeah. .if we don't leave know i'll find an excuse to go and check on josh. ." He smiled and shook his head slightly. "Oh no you don't, tonight you're all mine." he grinned, knowing she was joking but also knowing how easy it was to get sucked back into being with their son. He was so loveable and charismatic already, it was hard to say no or to leave him behind. He frowned slightly as she reached into the back, confused. "I know we said we were just going for a meal and not doing presents but i saw this and i had to get it for you." and then his eyebrows rose as it came into view. "Ash ... you didn't have to," he said, surprised, turning it over in his hands and grinning wide. "But I love it. Thank you," he leaned across the console to give her a sweet kiss before starting the car. "Now let's get this date on the road."
She grinned and batted her eyelashes at him. ”I’m always all yours. .forever” She watched his face as she passed hmthe briefcase, smiling at his reaction. Perfect. She’d guessed he would like it but seeing his face was priceless. She leaned into the kiss and half pouted when he pulled away. If she had her way, she would kiss him all day every day. Grinning, she clapped her hands excitedly. ”yes lets go!” She was acting like a kid in a sweet shop but she couldn’t help herself. As they drove, she flicked through the radio, settling on a station that was playing throwback songs. Squealing with a grin, she turned up the volume and started to sing along to ‘can't fight the moonlight’ from one of her favourite films, coyote ugly.
When they pulled up to the restaurant, she ended her mini concert and unbuckled her seatbelt before stepping out of the car; bag in hand. She moved around the car over to Damon and held her hand out to take his as they walked into the restaurant. She gave the hostess a small smile and let Damon speak since he made their reservation. While the host grabbed their menus, she had a quick glance around, happy to see that the restaurant was pretty quiet. Picture-perfect setting for their anniversary meal. The brunette followed the other woman as she lead them through the room and sat down when they reached their table. While the waitress gave them a few minutes to browse through the menu, Ashley reached her hand over to rest on Damon’s. ”Happy Anniversary”
He glanced across at her and caught her flirtatious look. ”I’m always all yours. .forever” Snorting slightly, he poked her pout gently with his index finger. ”yes lets go!” Damon laughed at her enthusiasm, and his stomach flipped over nervously as he hoped that she was just as enthusiastic about his later proposal. He was trying not to think about it at the same time as thinking about it enough to not forget anything! As Ash played DJ and tried to make his eardrums bleed, he grinned and joined in occasionally on the duets, not always very tunefully either.
Pulling into a space, he parked the car and got out, checking his pockets so he had everything and adding his keys to the mix. As she held her hand out to his, he smiled, his expression softening as he took her hand. It was small things like that that made him love her all the more. He gave his name to the waitress and waved Ash forward first when they were led to their table. He'd requested a nice table, away from too much noise if possible, settled in the corner where it would be private. He squeezed her hand as she touched his and returned the easy smile, trying not to let the nerves show on his face. ”Happy Anniversary” He nodded, "to many more," he promised, then flipped open the menu's. "The world is your oyster today, pick whatever you want," he declared, pointing out a wine to the waitress as she came over to take their drink orders.
ashley was glad they'd been put into a quiet booth in the corner away from hustle and bustle of the entrance and kitchen. she smiled and picked up a menu, turning the pages as she scanned each meal. she'd had a quick look at the menu beforehand but she was stuck between a few things that sounded good. "ooh splashing out are we. .in that case i'll have the lobster." she joked with a cheeky grin. she'd never even tried it and she wasn't about too. to be honest she was looking forward to the desserts more than anything. she had a big sweet tooth. she looked up when the waitress returned with their wine and to take their order. she ordered whatever the chicken was, thanking her with a smile before picking up her glass to take a sip. "how was your day babe?" luckily she'd only had to work half a day so she hadn't had to rush around like a headless chicken to get ready.
"ooh splashing out are we. .in that case i'll have the lobster." He smiled at her across the table, "If the lady wants a lobster, a lobster she shall have," and he meant it, he had been saving for a while for this night and he planned to splash the cash - he knew it didn't matter to her, the money, but he wanted this to be special. She deserved it - she deserved the world, but he'd give her what he could. He peered down at the menu, caught by the option of steak - it would probably be one of the best he'd had, especially if the price had anything to do with it.
He gave his order to the waitress along with Ashley, smiling a thanks and sipping the wine when it appeared. He took another sip - needing the liquid courage. Silly really, he shouldn't feel so nervous, they were dating and this was the way they both wanted things to go, they had been together for many years now and had a child together - but it was important and it mattered, and so he was nervous. "how was your day babe?" He smiled, glad to ease into some normal conversation, though he wasn't quite sure what to do with himself - did he ask now and risk an awkward dinner if she said no? Was it a bit random to do it now? Did he ask them to put it in her desert? That sounded awfully messy, and he wanted to wait a little, but he wasn't sure he'd be able to eat until he asked. He realised he hadn't answered her yet and he cleared his throat. "Oh it was an okay day today, a few deadlines tightening the noose but I'll manage. How was yours?"
She grinned and shook her head ”thanks but no thanks. .me and seafood don’t mix.” although she’d never tried lobster, the whole idea of seafood made her stomach churn. She’d been told many times that you can’t dislike something without trying it but they were wrong, she didn’t like it and wasn’t going to change her mind. She took another sip of wine as she waited for damon to tell her about his day. He seemed pretty nervous tonight which was unusual, he was usually pretty relaxed on their date nights but then again it had been a while since they’d been somewhere so fancy. She could see him lost in thought, taking longer than normal to answer which made her smile. ”nothing too stressful I hope? Good. . quiet morning at work then I picked Josh up early and took him to the park to burn off some energy for the sitter tonight.”
”thanks but no thanks. .me and seafood don’t mix.” Damon grinned, he wasn't much of a fan of it either - he thought it was overpriced and overrated, there were other seafood that were better tasting. Calamari was one that he enjoyed, and he could do prawns, but generally fish wasn't a favourite of his. "I don't blame you," He grinned, trying to tell his over-active brain to shut up already and just enjoy the date. They didn't often splash out like this, he didn't want to ruin the night by feeling ill and then wish he'd enjoyed it more.
”nothing too stressful I hope? Good. . quiet morning at work then I picked Josh up early and took him to the park to burn off some energy for the sitter tonight.” He smiled and took a sip of his wine, his heart squeezing slightly at the mention of their son; he couldn't help it, he loved the boy whole-heartedly. "No it's nothing too worrying, just trying to make sure we meet all the legal deadlines to avoid any trouble" He was currently interning at a lawyer firm as he finished up his degree, but he was enjoying it - even though he felt he'd already earned several new grey hairs and age lines from the stress. "Did it work? I feel like you should have done the opposite and fed him sugar whilst we weren't there to deal with it" He joked.
ooc - actually bothered to re-read by first post and see how I planned to have him propose LOL, I'll try and remember this time! ASHLEY HARMONY WHITE
"No it's nothing too worrying, just trying to make sure we meet all the legal deadlines to avoid any trouble" She listened whole heartedly, finding his work pretty interesting. His brain was one of the things she loved about him, she wasn't short of brains herself but she knew becoming a lawyer was extremely tough. She definitely didn't have the patience for all of the years of training. She'd barely managed the three to become a veterinary nurse. "Okay. . as long as it's not too demanding.""Did it work? I feel like you should have done the opposite and fed him sugar whilst we weren't there to deal with it" She grinned and shook her head "Imagine! She'd never want to babysit him again. .but yes it did work, he's all tired out so it should be an easy night for her." Good babysitters were hard to come by and plying their son with sugar was a sure way to make her run for the hills. Josh was hyper on a good day. . but add sugar into the mix and he was a like Tasmanian devil - bouncing off the walls. She took a sip of her wine and watched as the waitress brought over their food a short while later, thanking her as she set it down.
He smiled to see her watching him, listening. He loved that about her, that she actually wanted to hear about his day, and cared about what he said. It made him feel great to be able to come home and talk about what was going on, she was smart and she got what he was saying even without knowing all the legal jargon that he did. It worked both ways, he loved hearing about her day too. "Okay. . as long as it's not too demanding." Damon's smile widened, his eyes softening as he knew her words came from a place of care. "No, it's busy but I like keeping busy in this way," He said, he didn't feel drained, he felt invigorated, just tired sometimes.
"Imagine! She'd never want to babysit him again. .but yes it did work, he's all tired out so it should be an easy night for her." Damon laughed and gave a nod, "Okay you have a point there, maybe we should start Chloroforming him instead to make it simple?" They really needed the babysitting to go well, otherwise the two of them would never get time to themselves anymore, he'd have to start bribing people. He thanked the waitresses as their food appeared and he took a sip of his drink before digging in, smiling at the first rush of flavour. "Oh wow," He murmured. "How's yours?"
"No, it's busy but I like keeping busy in this way," She nodded with a smile, knowing the exact feeling he was talking about. She hated it when the practice was having a slow day which was surprisingly rare since a lot of the residents had multiple pets along with two full livery stables. She loved it when there wasn’t much time to stop, busy days went quickly. She loved her job but she loved being at home with her family just as much. "Okay you have a point there, maybe we should start Chloroforming him instead to make it simple?" She let out a laugh and rolled her eyes playfully. ”I mean we could but I think we may get done for child abuse unfortunately” Maybe they could just give him a couple of doses of calpol, knock the kid straight out with a nice taste. She remembered the stuff tasting like pure sugar when she was little but she figured nowadays it would probably taste a lot different. She picked up her cutlery before tucking into the insanely good looking meal in front of her. ”oh wow, how’s yours?”She was almost lost in how amazing it tasted, half annoyed they didn’t treat themselves to a decent restaurant more often. ”It’s great. .why don’t we come here all the time again?”
Damon grinned as Ashley laughed - he would never tire of hearing that sound. He loved being able to make her laugh, it was what had given him confidence when they'd first started going out, the fact that she'd found him funny. He had always been a shy and nervous teenager growing up, awkward and anxious, but he liked cracking jokes, and once he'd found out how to make her laugh it'd made him feel so much more confident in himself. ”I mean we could but I think we may get done for child abuse unfortunately” He wrinkled his nose and thought about it, as if he was seriously considering it. "I know how to talk us out of it," he winked, though he knew they probably should joke about those kinds of things.
He tucked into more of his food, pausing to take a moment to sip of his drink. He looked across to Ashley to make sure hers was as good. He wasn't above sending food back if it wasn't good enough, it was something he'd grown into in the end, not something he would have done as a teen. But when you were paying so much money for it as well, you had to get what you paid for. ”It’s great. .why don’t we come here all the time again?” He smiled, swallowing his mouthful before he spoke. "Because I'm not a top notch barrister yet?" He teased, "Though you are more than welcome to make me a kept man." Another joke, he would be far too bored as a house husband.
